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Documentation Needed to Support Additional Requests for Federal Assistance

SPRINGFIELD – State and federal damage assessment teams on Friday began their 12th straight day of surveying homes damaged or destroyed by historic flooding in mid-April. Since April 29, teams have documented flood damage to nearly 3,700 homes in 14 counties.

On Thursday, Governor Pat Quinn requested a federal disaster declaration for 11 counties where damage assessments were complete. Information currently being compiled will be used for additional requests for federal assistance to help people who were affected by flooding.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure we receive federal aid for all those affected by the devastating floods,” Governor Quinn said. “By submitting a request to President Obama, the federal review process for 11 counties has begun and we will continue working to secure much-needed assistance for the remaining hard-hit counties.”

Four teams with personnel from IEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local officials currently are conducting damage assessments.

“Our teams are continuing to collect the information needed to request federal assistance,” said Jonathon Monken, director, Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). “With 49 Illinois counties across the state impacted by flooding, this process takes time. The teams are working as quickly as possible, while still taking time to carefully document the full impact of the flood on people and their communities.”

In addition to the teams assessing damage to homes, five teams with staff from IEMA and FEMA on Monday began meeting with local government officials to document flood-related expenses. The information will be used by the state to request federal assistance that would allow governmental bodies in federally declared counties to seek reimbursement for 75 percent of their eligible costs.